On March 6, 24 energetic BAYADA employees and one BAYADA Assistive Care State Programs (ACSP) client gathered in South Carolina’s state capitol for a day of meaningful and heartfelt advocacy. The South Carolina Home Care and Hospice Association (SCHCHA) hosted its second annual Legislative Advocacy Day, and this year, a record-breaking total of nearly 60 advocates attended!

BAYADA’s advocates joined other attendees and walked the halls with a clear message: Investing in our Nursing Medicaid Waiver programs will save the state money and keep our medically fragile children, disabled adults, and seniors home with their loved ones and out of higher cost facilities. We care about home care, and so should you!

With their passionate message in hand, advocates spoke with over 50 legislators about the importance of home care. This year we were able to speak to all key lawmakers in both the House and Senate to ensure our message was heard by as many ears–and the right ears–as possible.

“Advocacy can’t be effective with only one person working towards a goal–one voice can only go so far! That’s why I am so proud to work in South Carolina, where so many of our office employees, field employees, and clients recognize the importance of sharing their voices too. The more impassioned people we have involved, the more of a difference we can make on behalf of all South Carolinians that rely on home care,” said GAO director Melissa Allman.

BAYADA employees were excited and inspired by the impact they made that day. Thank you to the many participants for the difference you make on behalf of all South Carolinians that rely on home care to stay independent in their communities!

Thank you to the many advocates that contributed to SC and GA’s successes in 2018!

What a difference a year makes. This time last year I was just transitioning out of my role as Division Director for the Palmetto Division and into my new role directing our advocacy activities in South Carolina and Georgia. I didn’t know I was in for so much! As I reflect back on 2018, my thoughts go immediately to two things: First, the successes that we were able to generate for our staff and clients and secondly, the many BAYADA leadership, staff, and clients that shared their voices and helped us win!

South Carolina

This year not only were we able to achieve an 8.2% rate increase for all personal care Medicaid waiver services in South Carolina, but we made so much headway engaging our office staff, field staff, and clients. As one person running around in the state house, I can only do so much. It is your stories and your voices that truly have made our first full-time year in South Carolina a remarkably successful year.

Aside from our rate increase, South Carolina advocates hosted five home visits with state lawmakers, hosted two legislative roundtables, and Speaker Pro Tempore Tommy Pope attended a Hero Ceremony for his constituent—a home health aide from RHS. In addition, we attended several events to support our champions. Then-CLP Director, Haley Keisler was named South Carolina Home Care and Hospice Association’s (SCHCHA) 2018 Professional of the Year, and ROC client Mitchell H.’s mom and caregiver, Tammy Roberts, was recognized as the SCHCHA 2018 Caregiver of the Year.

Left: SCHCHA Executive Director Tim Rogers (left) and I (right) pose with SCHCHA’s 2018 Caregiver of the Year Tammy Roberts (center) and her grandson.

Right: SCHCHA Executive Director Tim Rogers (left) and I (right) pose with SCHCHA’s 2018 Professional of the Year, former CLP director and current AVL director Haley Keisler and her family.

Additionally, we were able to engage a record 25 Hearts for Home Care ambassadors and advocates to attend Lobby Day, where we connected BAYADA staff to lawmakers to share why our families deserve to be able to stay together through home care.

A record breaking Lobby Day in Columbia

Georgia

As I reflect back on the past year, my heart is full of gratitude for all of Georgia’s leadership, Ambassadors, and advocates. Your support and advocacy made all the difference! Not only were we able to generate a rate increase for private duty nursing (PDN) services under the Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP) waiver, but we’ve made our voices heard and our industry and company better known in the state capitol. We are truly set up for a stellar 2019!

So far in 2019 we have already began meeting with Georgia’s House and Senate leadership and the Georgia Department of Community Health (GCH). We are seeking to further increase the RN and LPN rates under the GAPP program and gain enhancements for PDN waivers for the adult population under the New Options Waiver (NOW), Comprehensive Supports Waiver (COMP) and Independent Care Waiver (ICWP) programs. We will be seeking even further involvement from our GA advocates, and I am excited to see what we can accomplish together!

Meetings are already underway for 2019: I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together for GA!

It was a
true honor to work along side of you all, and I’m looking forward to working
with you as we continue to raise awareness for our state’s most vulnerable
children and adults. Thank you to the many advocates that made 2018 a success,
and that will help pave the way for more successes in South Carolina in 2019
and beyond!

On April 4, the South Carolina Home Care and Hospice Association hosted its second annual Legislative and Advocacy Day. This year, a record-breaking total of nearly 50 advocates gathered in South Carolina’s state capitol for a day of meaningful and heartfelt advocacy. Advocates, which included two home care clients, walked the halls with a clear message: Investing in the state’s Medicaid Waiver programs will save the state money and keep medically fragile children, disabled adults, and seniors home with their loved ones and out of higher cost facilities.

With their passionate message in hand, advocates spoke with over 50 legislators about the importance of home care. The highlight of the day was the recognition the home care advocates received on the house floor by Speaker Pro Tempore Representative Tommy Pope!

Advocates were inspired by the impact they made that day. Below, please find several quotes and pictures submitted by our advocates.

“It was an honor to participate in this year’s Advocacy and Legislative Day, to be a part of such an impactful team, and especially to bring my two boys with special needs to the event. It was a wonderful to be able show the representatives firsthand why we need higher Medicaid reimbursement rates in South Carolina.”

-Haley Keisler

Dan Noel, Jen Collier, Rep. Bruce Bryant, and Amy Ramey.

“Speaking with legislators about the need for higher Medicaid reimbursement rates in South Carolina was an amazing experience. We had a great turnout and I was especially pleased with all the love our fellow advocates gave us; their support was energizing– what a great group of people!” -Amy Ramey

“It was overwhelming to see so many people come together for a common goal. We advocated for something so important and I am so proud to have been a part of that!” -Jennifer Collier

“This was my first Legislative Day and it certainly will not be my last. It was truly remarkable for all of us to come together from different BAYADA backgrounds to make this day a success. I look forward to advocating for my company and my state in the future!”

-Jaime Bennett

Nicole Lugo, Nancy Mace, and Lee Dobson.

“It was encouraging to see the growth of our advocacy group over one year and it is clear that Hearts for Home Care has the opportunity to be the biggest voice for home care in South Carolina.”

-Nicole Lugo

Louise Lindenmeier, Rep. Leon Howard, and Tim Peterkin.

“It was truly a pleasure to connect with our South Carolina legislators to explain how our services can keep their constituents at home, explain the cost savings of home care versus hospitals and facilities, and connect legislators with our purpose and mission.”

“The South Carolina Legislative Day was a great opportunity to meet with legislators and talk to them about the importance of investing in home care… I can’t wait to see the impact that we have on laws affecting home care!” -Foster Krebs

“Over the course of the day I felt a strong sense of comradery, pride, and support when—no matter where I looked—I saw a colleague dressed in their finest red! It was great to be a part of something bigger than myself by advocating for those who need it most.”

-Dominic Molin

Dave Totaro, Rep. Katherine Arrington, and Laura Jaycox.

“Legislative Day made it possible to get involved and support home care even though I had no prior experience. I enjoyed meeting everyone and learned so much. Thank you so much to my fellow advocates for all of your knowledge and support!”

-Laura Jaycox

THANK YOU to all of our advocates that participated in 2018’s Legislative and Advocacy Day!